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Cadets parade through Darlington to mark 72nd anniversary

PROUD DAY: Members of the Air Training Corps from Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Northallerton and Richmond parade through Darlington town centre, to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the Air Cadets

RAF Air Cadets from across the region marched through Darlington town centre to mark the 72nd anniversary of the organisation.

More than 150 members of Air Training Corps from Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Northallerton and Richmond paraded through the town centre today, (Sunday, February 3) ending their march with a special service at St Cuthbert’s Church.

The Air Cadets was founded by Air Commodore Sir John Chamier who recognised that after the First World War many airmen lost their lives because they were pitched into battle with just a few hours of training.

It was a hugely popular movement and was officially established in 1941 with King George VI agreeing to be the Air Commodore-in-Chief.

Today, the Air Cadets boasts 40,000 national members aged between 13 and 20 and half of all current RAF aircrew are former cadets.